SPIRITS

WSET Levels 1, 2, and 3 Award in Spirits
Upcoming Courses -
Quick Links

San Francisco
   •    Level 1    •    Level 2    •    Level 3

Overview of Levels 1, 2, and 3

Grape Experience offers all 3 levels of WSET’s suite of spirits courses – both in traditional classroom and online formats. These courses are an excellent way for enthusiasts and professionals to build expertise and confidence in the ever expanding range of spirits from around the world.

WSET LEVEL 1 AWARD IN SPIRITS

A beginner level introduction to spirits for anyone starting a career in the industry or pursuing an interest in spirits. This course offers a hands-on introduction to the world of spirits. Explore the main styles and types of spirits through sight, smell, and taste to develop an understanding of the key factors affecting flavors and aromas. Upon successful completion, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.

For the complete specification for this course click here

Level 1 details and upcoming classes

What You’ll Learn

  • The basic principles of spirit production
  • The main types and styles of spirits
  • How to serve spirits
  • Factors affecting the flavor of spirits
  • How to accurately taste and describe spirits using WSET’s Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits®

 

 


 

Online

WSET D6 Class

Spirits Level 1 - Online With Live Webinars

Level 1 Spirits Online
Runs  January 7-February 4, 2025
Live webinar (also recorded) January 16, 2025 from Noon-1pm Pacific Time

Exam is 45-minutes February 9, 2025 at noon Pacific Time or in person at a later date to be arranged
Enroll by January 7, 2025
Price includes all study materials, examination (one attempt), tuition, and postage
Instructor will provide a list of spirits to purchase for tasting


Cost is $395.00

WSET D6 Class

Spirits Level 1 - Online With Live Webinars

Level 1 Spirits Online
Runs February 4-March 3, 2025
Live webinar (also recorded) February 10, 2025 from Noon-1pm Pacific Time

Exam is 45-minutes March 9, 2025 at noon Pacific Time or in person at a later date to be arranged
Enroll by February 4, 2025
Price includes all study materials, examination (one attempt), tuition, and postage
Instructor will provide a list of spirits to purchase for tasting


Cost is $395.00

 


 

WSET LEVEL 2 AWARD IN SPIRITS

This professional certificate in Spirits is available online and in traditional course format. It’s a great way for trained wine professionals, bar tenders, and others in the industry to deepen their knowledge of spirits and liqueurs. It also provides added depth for spirits lovers and amateur mixologists.

For the complete specification for this course click here

Level 2 details and upcoming classes

 

 

What You’ll Learn

  • How production methods affect the characteristics of spirits and liqueurs
  • The characteristics of the principal international spirits and liqueurs
  • How to taste and describe spirits using WSET’s Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits®

San Francisco Bay Area

LEVEL 2 Spirits Hybrid Course

Course runs January 9-February 13, 2025
Live Webinars: Thursdays, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30 and 2/13 from 10-11:30am Pacific Time.
Webinars can also be accessed in recorded form at any time 24/7 during the 6-week session.

Exam will be online SUNDAY, February 23, 2025 at noon Pacific, or can be arranged in person at a later date.
Enroll by January 8, 2025

Course Features:

  • Students have 12 month access to an Online Learning Platform where you can access lectures (live & recorded), activities, and practice quizzes 24/7.

  • Students have access to a “Course Community” where they can discuss content with the instructor and other students.

  • All students receive a digital copy of the proprietary WSET Level 2 Study Pack which includes a textbook, work book, and Systematic Approach to Tasting card.

  • Our dedicated WSET course instructors will be available to answer questions and comments, as well as provide feedback on assignments for the duration of the course.

Students will receive a list of Spirits that can be assessed throughout the course. Students will practice tasting live with their instructor and can post their tasting notes in the Online Classroom for review by the educator. For the complete specification for this course click here

This class is jointly run with Commonwealth Wine School. Price includes all study materials, wine kits, examination (one attempt), tuition, and postage

Cost is $700.00

 





 

WSET LEVEL 3 AWARD IN SPIRITS

The WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits is an advanced-level qualification for professionals and enthusiasts wishing to acquire a detailed understanding of the spirits of the world and develop the tasting skills required to accurately describe and evaluate a spirit.

This qualification is intended to build on knowledge and skills gained from the Level 2 Award in Spirits. You’ll acquire a deep theoretical understanding of the techniques used in spirit production, from the processing of raw materials to post-distillation operations. Through a combination of tasting and the application of theoretical knowledge you will learn to explain confidently why spirits look and taste the way they do and how and why they differ from each other.

 

Level 3 details and upcoming classes

What You’ll Learn

  • A detailed understanding of the techniques used in spirit production:
  • Processing of raw materials
  • Alcoholic fermentation
  • Distillation
  • Post-distillation practices
  • Factors affecting the style and quality of spirits, studying eleven core spirit categories in detail: Scotch Whisky, Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, Cognac, Armagnac, Caribbean rum,Tequila, Mezcal, Vodka, Gin
  • How to taste and evaluate quality of spirits using WSET’s Level 3Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits®